Apparatus for relief of pain and contractions using discharges of sparks adjustable in intensity of piezo-electric origin with a bipolar electrode of which one of the poles is in direct contact with the skin and the other spaced therefrom

ABSTRACT

An apparatus using discharges of sparks especially of piezo-electric origin comprises a bipolar electrode which includes one or several metallic electrodes (5) for direct contact with the skin, connected to one pole as well as one or several discharge electrodes (6) connected to the other pole, isolated by way of an isolating separation, or by distance and permitting discharge of sparks against the skin by automatically spacing the metallic discharge electrode (6).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention has as an object an apparatus for relief of pain andcontractions using discharges of sparks especially of piezo-electricorigin, of which one of the poles is in direct contact with the skin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

The state of the art can be defined by the following patents:FR-A-1,092,420, FR Addition 65,169, DE 2,117,917 and the DERVIEUXpatents No. 2,500,745 and 2,563,735.

DERVIEUX patent No. 2,500,745 describes an apparatus with a unipolarelectrode, one electrode of which is grounded either by a plate held bythe patient, or by an already implanted electrode, or the patient is incontact with a handle which is conductive (which has severaldisadvantages).

DERIVEUX patent No. 2,563,735 describes an apparatus using bipolarelectrodes discharging sparks of which the individual characteristics,shape, and the characteristics of their support permit the apparatus tobe at a certain distance from the skin by means of an isolatingseparation.

This apparatus also has several disadvantages.

Thus, this apparatus does not permit discharging the same sparks onmoist skin, or adjustment of the intensity.

The apparatus according to the invention seeks to improve this latterapparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To this end, the apparatus comprises a bipolar electrode which comprisesone or several metallic electrodes for direct contact with the skinconnected to a pole, as well as one or several discharge electrodes forthe other pole, isolated from the first and permitting discharge ofsparks against the skin by automatically spacing the metallic dischargeelectrode.

The apparatus may comprise a means permitting varying the intensity ofthe spark discharges and/or varying the spacing of the dischargeelectrodes with respect to the skin:

(1) the apparatus may comprise a means serving as an adjustable abutmentwhich permits varying the course of the articulated handle whichactuates the piezo-electric generator of the mechanical type, and thuspermits decreasing the intensity and adapting the emitted current to thesensitivity of the subject being treated.

(2) the apparatus may comprise a means automatically and adjustablyspacing the spark-discharging electrode from the skin, or from the planeof contact serving as the contact electrode, either by a means acting asa roller or by a pushbutton provided, if desired, with a gear reductionlever having two or more positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying drawings given by way of indicative and non-limitingexample will permit easy understanding of the invention. They show apreferred embodiment according to the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the apparatus.

FIGS. 4 to 14 are views of various heads of the apparatus showing thecharacteristics especially of the contact electrode.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are front and side views of a central contact electrode.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are front and side views of a peripheral contactelectrode.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are front and side views of a contact electrode havingsmall cavities.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show an embodiment wherein the contact electrode is aperipheral electrodes as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, butwhere there are two spark-discharging electrodes 6.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show an embodiment wherein the electrodes are formed astoothed wheels of different diameter and polarity (body contacting theskin-rollers spaced therefrom).

FIG. 14 is a side view along the line A--A shown in FIG. 13.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show a detail of the apparatus at the level of thebutton for varying the intensity.

FIGS. 17 and 19 show an embodiment wherein the adjusting button isdisposed at the level of the end of the sleeve (and/or of the handle)and wherein the slot is longitudinal.

FIGS. 18 and 20 show an embodiment wherein the adjusting button isdisposed at the end of the sleeve (and/or of the handle) and wherein theslot comprises a leg.

FIGS. 21, 22 and 23 are sectional views of the apparatus showing themeans permitting adjusting the spacing of the spark-dischargingelectrode from the skin or from the plane serving as the contactelectrode. One may be displaced with respect to the other.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The apparatus according to the invention is composed of a principal body1 which forms a sleeve 2 comprising an articulated handle 3 and a fixedor removable head 4 that carries the bipolar electrodes 5 and 6.

The articulated handle 3 actuates, in a known mechanical manner, apiezo-electric generator.

According to FIG. 1, the apparatus comprises a bipolar electrode whichcomprises a metallic electrode 5 for direct contact with the skin. Thiscontact electrode 5 forms in this example the head 4 of the apparatus,it assures direct contact with the skin, and it is connected to onepole.

One or several spark-discharging electrodes 6 of the other pole aredisposed in the median and transverse portion of the head 4.

The electrode 5 for direct contact with the skin automatically maintainsthe spark-discharging electrode 6 spaced from the skin (from severaldozen to several millimeters from the skin). To this end, the points ofthe discharge electrode 6 are shorter than the height of the border ofthe contact electrode 5 (ground). Sparks may thus be produced from thedischarge electrodes 6 to the contact electrode 5.

A luminous indicator 7 permits verifying correct operation of theapparatus when the articulated handle 3 which actuates thepiezo-electric generator is pressed and released.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, a contact electrode 8 is centrally disposed. It formsa contact strip 8 which is disposed in the median portion andtransversely of the head 4 of the apparatus. On either side of thecontact strip 8 are disposed the other bipolar electrodes fordischarging sparks against the skin, which form a range 9 and 10 on eachside of the contact strip 8.

It will be understood, according to another embodiment not shown in thedrawings, that there may be one or several contact electrodes orelectrodes for discharging sparks against the skin.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are detailed views of the electrodes already describedabove (see FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) and which show a peripheral contactelectrode 5 and two discharge electrodes 6.

The points 15 formed by the peripheral contact electrode 5 promotedischarge of sparks between one or several discharge electrodes, herethe two ranges 5 and 6 toward which these points are directed, theydischarge sparks at the time of operation without directly contactingthe skin (through the air: between the electrodes or through a tissue onthe skin).

FIGS. 8 and 9 are detailed views of an electrode 11 which forms acontact plate 12 provided with one or several small cavities 13 thecentral portion of each of which is occupied by the point of aspark-discharging electrode 14.

The point of the electrode 14 is recessed relative to the plane of thecontact plate 12 of the electrode 11.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are detailed views of an electrode which forms a contactplate 5 provided with two cavities of which the central portion isoccupied by a range of spark-discharging points 6.

The apparatus shown in FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 has a head composed ofrollers 26, here toothed and movable, having different diameter andpolarity:

grounding in contact with the skin via contact roller electrode 5 (seeFIG. 12);

electrode 6 for discharging sparks against the skin composed of toothedand movable rollers 26 having a diameter slightly less than the diameterof the contact rollers 5.

Moreover, according to another embodiment not shown, there could beelectrodes having solely parallel circular arcs, fixed or not, andtoothed or smooth.

According to FIGS. 15 and 16 a button 16 permits adjusting the intensityof the spark discharge by varying the path of the articulated handle 3.The longer the path of the articulated handle 3, the greater theintensity. FIG. 15 shows a detail of the apparatus at the level of thebutton 16 for adjusting the intensity. FIG. 16 is a view according toFIG. 15 in which a window B has been opened to show the mechanism of thebutton 16. Specifically, the button 16 displaces an abutment 22 whichlimits the course of the articulated handle 3 at the level of its ownabutment 23. The course of this button may be horizontal.

According to FIGS. 17, 18, 19 and 20 the button 18 for regulatingintensity is no longer at the level of the articulation axis of thehandle 3, but rather is at the end 17 of the sleeve 2 facing the end ofthe handle 3. By displacing the button 18 in a longitudinal slot 19(FIGS. 17 and 19) or in an extension 20 (FIGS. 18, 20), locking in thechosen position is possible, as well as regulation of the course of thehandle 3.

As in FIGS. 15 and 16, the regulating button 18 comprises a pin 24 whichlimits the path of the end of the handle 3.

The handle comprises a notch 21 for passage of the button 18 which makesuse of the abutment or pin 24. When the button 18 is displaced outsideof the notch 21, the end 16 of the handle 3 may not be completely pushedin, and the path is thus limited. When the button 18 is facing the notch21, the handle 13 may be pushed all the way in, and the path is thusmaximum.

FIG. 21 is a sectional view of the head of the apparatus. It shows thespark-discharging electrode 6 of which the distance from the skin may beadjusted by a button 25 along the arrows F1, F2. The button 25 may befixed to the electrode 6 or be provided with gear reduction meanspermitting a micrometric displacement.

Moreover, there could also be a fixed spark-discharging electrode 6 andonly the plane serving as the electrode 5 for contact with the skincould be displaced.

In FIG. 22, the spark-discharging electrode 6 may be displaced relativeto the skin and to the other electrode 5 by means of a threaded ring 27and a threaded rod 28 disposed on the principal body of the saidspark-discharging electrode 6.

In FIG. 23, the contact electrode 5 may be removable and, depending onits thickness 29 permit automatically and adjustably spacing thespark-discharging electrode 6.

In FIG. 24, the adjustment of the intensity may be made by clamping moreor less strongly the quartz crystals 31, in the metallic support 32 withthe compression screw 30; this adjustment may be fixed or effected ondemand, and in a variable manner by a knob 33 integral with or separablefrom the screw 30, permitting adjustment of the intensity from theexterior of the apparatus and compensating for the wearing away of thecrystals. If desired, this arrangement permits standard exchange of thecrystals.

I claim:
 1. Apparatus for providing relief from pain and contractionsvia the discharge of sparks of piezo-electric origin resulting fromdirect application of the apparatus to the skin of a patient,comprising(a) a handle; (b) means connected with said handle forgenerating a piezo-electric charge including actuating means arrangedwithin said handle and a pair of poles; and (c) bipolar electrode meansconnected with said poles of said piezo-electric generator means, saidbipolar electrode means including(1) at least one metallic electrodeconnected with said handle and arranged for direct contact with the skinof the patient, said contact electrode being connected with one pole ofsaid generator means; and (2) at least one discharge electrode connectedwith said handle and recessed from said contact electrode, saiddischarge electrode being connected with the other pole of saidgenerator means, said spaced arrangement of said contact and dischargeelectrodes producing a series of sparks from said discharge electrode tosaid contact electrode which are thereby applied to the skin of thepatient.
 2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said contactelectrode comprises a generally rectangular head portion of theapparatus arranged at one end of said handle, said discharge electrodebeing arranged in the transverse median portion of said head portion. 3.Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the height of said at least onedischarge electrode is less than the height of said contact electrode.4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least one metallicelectrode for direct contact with the skin comprises points directedtoward points of said at least one discharge electrode, which pointsfavor discharge between the bipolar electrode means at the time of theiroperation out of direct contact with the skin.
 5. Apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein said apparatus comprises a distal end forming agenerally rectangular head portion, said at least one metallic electrodebeing centrally disposed in said head portion in the form of a contactstrip, said at least one discharge electrode comprising a row ofdischarge points on either side of said contact strip.
 6. Apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said at least one metallic electrodecomprises a contact plate having at least one cavity formed therein,said at least one discharge electrode comprising at least one dischargepoint each said discharge point being received in a corresponding saidat least one cavity, each said at least one discharge point beingrecessed relative to said contact plate.
 7. Apparatus according to claim1, wherein said at least one metallic electrode and said at least onedischarge electrode are formed by a row of parallel disks of alternatingpolarity, the disks of said discharge electrode having a lesser diameterthan the disks of said metallic electrode, thereby to be recessedtherefrom.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising meansfor regulating the intensity of said series of sparks.
 9. Apparatusaccording to claim 1, further comprising means for automatically andadjustably varying the extent to which said at least one dischargeelectrode is recessed from said at least one metallic electrode. 10.Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least one dischargeelectrode is fixed relative to said handle, and said at least onemetallic electrode is movable relative to said at least one dischargeelectrode.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least onemetallic electrode is fixed relative to said handle, and said at leastone discharge electrode is movable relative to said at least onemetallic electrode.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said atleast one metallic electrode is removable, thereby to permit manualadjustment of the extent to which said at least one discharge electrodeis recessed from said at least one metallic electrode, by substitutionof a said at least one metallic electrode of a different thickness.